320 



TTNEDALE ESCARPMENTS; 



Many of the local developments of crag are of the form called 

 lenticular, a form represented by the diameter section of two 

 watch glasses placed rim to rim. One of these crags bears some 

 resemblance to a single watch glass cut across the middle, the 

 fresh cut edge, declining bow-like at the ends, outlining the 

 brow. Sometimes a crag is hollowed below, where the sand- 

 stone is generally more laminated, into a '^ mountain piazza:" a 

 grateful shelter for the sheep. One of these has been happily 

 described by Hodgson as '^ grotto-sided." Various modifications 

 occur in details. If intersected by numerous joints a cliff pre- 

 sents jutting points bounded by irregular fissures. If the joints 

 mark the rock into larger squares, large and tower-like but- 

 tresses may result. 



Laminated and closely -jointed sandstones generally rise in 

 rounded embankments. "Where exposed, the rock has the ap- 

 pearance of what is expressively termed in the Lowland Scottish 

 a Skelvy Scair ; Anglice a scar disposed in little shelves. Varia- 

 tions in texture and bedding are followed with considerable pre- 

 cision by changes in the appearance of the feature. 



3. Limestone Escarpments. — The Limestones in this district lie 

 among the sandstones and shales as well-individualized beds, 

 of no great thickness, but sharply-defined character. Generally 

 subordinate in mass to the sandstones, they could not be expected 

 to rise so prominently ; but in proportion to their thickness they 

 are not less important. From their distinct character limestones 

 ten and twelve feet thick often enter with their whole thickness 

 into their scarp, and their features range with a constancy that 

 similar sandstones seldom possess. Occasionally even here, they 

 maybe compared, without disadvantage, with the sandstones; as in 

 the terraced profile of the Birtley Escarpment, as seen fi'om above 

 Wark; and among the Yoredale Eock-features of Yorkshire, 

 where the sandstones have thinned, they become predominant. 



and au inscription on Fallowfield Fell is one of this kind. These keen-eyed ancients 

 seem to have chosen the best and certainly the most easily won stone in the neighbour- 

 hood. I may refer in this note to the great sprinkling of disintegrated sand to be met 

 with about some sandstone crags. The well-known Shaftoc Crags, a favourite resort 

 from Newcastle, arc all Uttered about with it. 



